Ecclesiastes: From Illusion to Reality
July 17 – September 4
The Hopelessness of Nihilism
September 4, 2022 • Jon Morales • Ecclesiastes 12
It used to be junk mail. Now it’s spam. We’re talking about the daily detritus that floats into your postal box or email inbox that you don’t want, didn’t ask for, and has no value for your life. So we’ve developed the habit of purging without even looking. But in a rush to discard all the dross, something important might get tossed. As our summer series in Ecclesiastes closes, we discover that not everything is meaningless. Indeed, there is something significant for us to hold on to as the Teacher winds down his reflections.
The Striving of Productivism
August 28, 2022 • Adam Mashni • Ecclesiastes 3:1–11
Have you ever opened the app store for your preferred computer or phone platform and looked for productivity apps? You probably didn’t have to look far! There are dozens of calendars, to-do lists, time blockers, habit trackers, note takers, mind mappers, text editors, file organizers, and focus tools. All pledge to make you more efficient, productive, and valuable. But is that an empty promise? In this week’s passage of Ecclesiastes, the Teacher tells us there’s a time for productivity. But a deeper look reveals a profound truth about all of our work under the sun.
The Pressure of Perfectionism
August 21, 2022 • Charlie Koopman • Ecclesiastes 11:1–8
Once considered a positive trait, perfectionism is on the rise in our culture. Unsurprisingly, anxiety, fear, and depression are at an all-time high. Despite what is on display in so many curated Instagram feeds, being flawless is an unrealistic goal, an illusion driven by the need to manage every aspect of our lives tightly. Again this week, we look through the lens of the "Teacher" in Ecclesiastes to wrestle with the question: Can I ever really have control of my life?
The Virus of Materialism
August 14, 2022 • Jon Morales • Ecclesiastes 2:18–26
Most of us have stuff – plenty of stuff. And if we’re honest, we keep a list, at least in our heads, of other stuff that would make our lives better: home improvements, vehicle or technology upgrades, vacations, etc. If we had some extra cash, we know how and where we’d spend it! Planning for future purchases isn’t bad, but trusting in them to make our life more complete? That’s different and symptomatic of a deeper malady. Fortunately, the gospel provides the antidote.
The Anxiety of Individualism
August 7, 2022 • Jon Morales • Ecclesiastes 2:12–17
We all know there’s no “I” in TEAM, and things are better when we work together. But those phrases are easier said than done, especially when individualistic impulses run deep. Our culture and our hearts subtly tell us we don’t need others, and we don’t need God. While going it alone can feel empowering and lead to a level of human glory, it has diminishing returns often realized too late. Responding to the gospel realigns our perspective and provides the antidote for anxious self-reliance.
The Transience of Hedonism
July 31, 2022 • Jon Morales • Ecclesiastes 2:1–11
Have you ever tried something just to try it? Maybe you wanted to see what it was like or what effect it had on you, and by doing so, learn if you’d ever want to try it again - like bungee jumping or eating escargot. That’s the approach the author of Ecclesiastes takes toward pleasure. He tried everything: drinking and imprudence, building estates, amassing wealth, licentious relationships. In the end, he found none of these desires delightful. But the maturing Christian can learn from this teacher’s experiment with pleasure and follow God’s path instead.
The Weariness of Intellectualism
July 24, 2022 • Jon Morales • Ecclesiastes 1:12–18
Each year the rankings come out. The US News and World Report lists the best universities and colleges. It even ranks the best Michigan high schools (by the way, in 2022, Novi is #7 and Northville #8). People then flock to these rankings to see where their alma mater sits (for personal validation) or to consider what school their child should attend. Here in the United States of America, we place a high value on education. But to what end? We fret about GPAs, honor societies, and test scores. In and of themselves, none of these things are bad. But ultimately, what is our pursuit of education seeking to accomplish? Is it wisdom? And if so, is this where we find wisdom in its highest concentration?
The Striving of Naturalism
July 17, 2022 • Jon Morales • Ecclesiastes 1:1–11
How many of us work hard? Probably most of us. Why? Because life is hard work. Simply put, a certain amount of effort is required to have basic food and shelter. And depending on the quality of the food and shelter you desire, considerably more effort may be required. Therefore, it is an easy jump to begin equating our worth with the volume, significance, and product of our labor. But what changes by all of that hard work? Does it give your life greater meaning? Or is pursuing a life of toil and goals and getting merely an illusion?